Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home

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Founded in 1876, Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home has been an important part of the Fort Wayne, Indiana, community for over a century. Though much has changed since John Julius Klaehn founded the business, our team of dedicated and experienced funeral associates takes pride in his founding principles: outstanding teamwork and professionalism, immaculate facilities and grounds, commitment to community and exemplary service.

With its high ceilings, ornate woodwork and distinctive gargoyles, our funeral home combines classic charm and historic elegance.

Full range of funeral services

Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home is a proud member of the Dignity Memorial® network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers. All of our services are designed to help you through one of the most personal and challenging stages of life. We understand that losing a loved one is an emotional and difficult experience, and are committed to providing compassionate care and professional and personal service.

Whether you wish to arrange for a traditional funeral service, are interested in a Life Well Celebrated® memorialization, plan to have a large gathering or would like an intimate funeral, our team will work with you one-on-one to ensure your needs, wishes and budget are met. Our complete range of services, products and memorialization options are tailored to meet all of your requests and considerations. It is our promise to provide you with the utmost care and ability to customize a celebration of life that is special, meaningful and personalized.

Personalized Monuments and Markers

As an added benefit to the families we serve, we partner closely with Birkmeier & Sons Monument Company. Since 1880, the family-owned monument company has helped Fort Wayne families discover, create and customize monuments that commemorate the lives of loved ones in unique and memorable ways. They offer a wide variety of memorialization options, including bronze markers, mausoleums, benches, uprights and flat markers.

Preparing in advance

At Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home, we also recognize that funeral arrangements and associated expenses can be overwhelming. In addition to assisting during your immediate time of need, our funeral directors specialize in working with families to plan your final arrangements in advance. By preparing these details ahead of time, you provide a sense of relief, peace of mind and comfort for your loved ones while ensuring your wishes are met to your specifications. We are here to discuss your funeral and cremation options should you wish to do so in advance. Call, write or stop in any time for more information. We are here and ready to serve you.

Historic Wayne Street Landmark

Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home on Wayne Street is one of Downtown Fort Wayne's most historic and well-preserved structures, but we are so much more than a landmark: We have been a valued neighbor and community resource for over 100 years.

Our funeral home was built by architects Wing and Mahurin, who were well known in the Fort Wayne area during the late 1800s and early 1900s. The home was built for Robert Clark Bell, who attended Muncie Academy and the University of Michigan Law School, and married Clara E. Wolfe in 1868. In 1871, the Bells moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana, where Robert formed a law practice. In later years, he was associated with the law firm of Morris, Bell, Barrett, and Morris, which eventually became Barrett-McNagny.

During his career, Robert served as Assistant U.S. Attorney for Indiana, U.S. Commissioner for Indiana, member of the Indiana State Senate, attorney for the Allen County Board of Commissioners, and president of the Salamonie Mining and Gas Company, which later became Northern Indiana Gas and Light Company.

Clara was also a founder of the city's heritage. She helped form the first classes of the Fort Wayne Arts School in 1888 and was the co-founder of the Fort Wayne Museum of Art.

20th century changes

After Robert's death in 1901, the home was sold to William K. Noble, who ran a lumber company and cooperage jobbing business that operated in Indiana, Michigan and Missouri. In 1926, he sold the home to William Robert Klaehn—son of the founder of Klaehn Funeral Home—and his 4 sons. Klaehn paid $50,000 for the property.

Recent renovations

In 1991, we built a second location at 6424 Winchester Road, enabling us to better serve Fort Wayne families. This addition allows us to provide the community with 2 convenient and comfortable locations in the Fort Wayne area. In 1994, our funeral home underwent major renovations, restoring the home to its original condition. Now as in years pass, we serve Fort Wayne families with the utmost compassion.

This site is provided as a service of SCI Shared Resources, LLC. The Dignity Memorial brand name is used to identify a network of licensed funeral, cremation and cemetery providers that include affiliates of Service Corporation International, 1929 Allen Parkway, Houston, Texas. With over 2,000 locations, Dignity Memorial providers proudly serve over 300,000 families a year.